How to Say ‘From time to time.’ in French
De temps en temps.
duh tohn ahn tohn
[duh tohn ahn tohn]
💬 Usage Tip: [De temps en temps] is a fixed expression meaning [from time to time]. You cannot translate it piece by piece and swap words around; learn it as one chunk.
Phrase Breakdown
De temps
duh tohn
Words in this phrase
De
[duh]
from
Begins a statement about frequency.
Ils se rencontrent "de temps" en temps pour discuter.
They meet 'from time' to time to discuss.
temps
[tohn]
time
Used again to emphasize the occasional nature of an action.
Il revient "de temps en temps" pour visiter.
He returns 'from time to time' to visit.
En temps.
ahn tohn
Words in this phrase
en
[ahn]
in
Connects parts of an expression about frequency.
Je le vois "en temps" pour la réunion.
I see him 'in time' for the meeting.
temps
[tohn]
time
Used again to emphasize the occasional nature of an action.
Il revient "de temps en temps" pour visiter.
He returns 'from time to time' to visit.
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